I.S. 285 Meyer Levin

A zoned neighborhood school with a performing arts program that admits children from across Brooklyn, IS 285 gives children the chance to perform in a steel drum orchestra, learn about set design and lighting, or put on elaborate musical theater productions. Students may audition for drama, dance, steel pan, band and chorus.

One year, students trained for six weeks at the Big Apple Circus to prepare for the musical theater production Barnum. Other productions include Hello, Dolly!, The Wiz, My Fair Lady, Guys and Dolls, 42nd Street, and The Tap Dance Kid, according to the annual Arts in the Schools report.

Also known as the Meyer Levin School for the Performing Arts, IS 285 serves a range of students. “Astral” classes are for academically strong students, who may take Regents-level classes in 8th grade. English as a New Language is offered to students who speak Italian, Arabic, Haitian-Creole, or Spanish at home. The school also has a range of special education services, according to the Comprehensive Educational Plan.

The school is in East Flatbush, more than a mile from nearest subway. Many students arrive with weak skills, and test scores are below average for the city. However, the school also admits some students who score "level 4," the highest level, on state tests.

Admissions: Zoned school, also open to students who live in Brooklyn. In recent years the school has had room for everyone who applies. (Clara Hemphill, web reports, April 2019)